In 2012, OSHA updated their Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) to bring it in line with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations. It requires manufacturers to update the labeling of their chemicals and switch from the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to a new, standardized Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A description of the changes and requirements can be found in this fact sheet.
Per the revised OSHA standard, all employees covered by the HazCom standard had until December 1, 2013 to complete the new HazCom training, incorporating information on the labeling and SDS components. A covered employee is defined as a worker, in a non-laboratory setting, who may be exposed (actually or potentially) to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies. This includes student employees. It generally does not cover office workers or other employee groups whose jobs would not likely involve chemical exposures.
If you have not taken the mandated training, EHS offers the training, entitled Hazard Communication – Right to Understand, in two formats: as an in-class presentation and an online version in HuskyCT. Make sure to register yourself or your employees for training in order to be compliant with the OSHA standard.
For more information, contact: Valerie Brangan at 860-486-3613